“Dead Men Flying” Heroic as Hell – The Dustoff Pilots of The Vietnam War (image heavy)

There was no more welcomed sound of to a wounded soilder in Vietnam than the whop-whop-whop of the “dustoff Huey” coming to get them out of hell. Anyone that has ever flown in a Dustoff Huey will never forget that heavenly sound

Without a doubt the Dustoff Medics witnessed more of the brutality of war than anyone. It took men with incredible courage to face the quantity of wounds and injuries they faced many times in a day. Shot at, sniped at, under mortar and heavy arms fire, they ran through mine fields to get to the wounded. Some of the most heroic men in the war.

The Vietnam War posed a unique logistical challenge to the military leaders. The war was fought in triple canopy jungle terrain and bad weather, there were constant guerilla attacks and the front line changed from day to day. Often vehicles traveling on the roads were subject to landmines, ambushes and poor road conditions, and some of the areas where heavy fighting took place were so remote there were no roads. All of these factors posed one major problem for the military. How do they transport the wounded safely and in a timely manner to the aid stations and hospitals for proper medical care? The Army’s medical branch decided to revisit an idea that came about in the Korean War – a helicopter ambulance corps. An idea that was implemented with so much success in Vietnam that in most cases a wounded soldier would be in a hospital receiving medical care within 35 minutes of being wounded.

In April of 1962, the 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) arrived in Vietnam with five UH-1 “Huey” helicopters. They took the call sign Dustoff. Over time the number of medevac detachments grew in Vietnam until the entire country had coverage and Dustoff became the universal call sign for all medevac missions.

A Dustoff crew consisted of four people: two pilots, a medic and a crew chief. Usually, one pilot would fly the helicopter while the other acted as the aircraft commander. The commander would navigate, monitor all of the radio transmissions, talk to the unit requesting the medevac and would take over flying if the pilot were injured. The medic kept the helicopter stocked with the necessary medical supplies and the crew chief would maintain the helicopter in top working condition. They would both load the patients onto the helicopter and the medic would administer any necessary medical treatment on the way to the hospital, often with the help of the crew chief. The medic and crew chief would stay with a particular helicopter while the pilots were interchangeable between helicopters. These crews saved many lives and were universally respected by all of the soldiers in the war.

This slideshow is mainly about Dust Off missions and the men who risked their lives to save their fellow soldiers. It contains a mix of pictures; some are mine, some are from folks who’ve ‘loaned’ them to me, and some I’ve taken off the internet. The 498th Dust Off men shown in close-up pictures were either Killed In Action or, in the case of two individuals, passed away more recently. Sadly, I couldn’t find pictures of all the 498th men who were KIA while I was with the unit. May they all Rest in Peace. 498th Dust Off, Lane Army Heliport, An Son, RVN, 1970.

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43 thoughts on ““Dead Men Flying” Heroic as Hell – The Dustoff Pilots of The Vietnam War (image heavy)”

Loved it! I’m going to share this with my three sons. Their dad, my first husband, was a Dustoff pilot 1967-68 stationed out of Long Bien. I have a lot of pictures and some of them are really good “action shots”. If you are interested I would be happy to share them. Our local Veteran’s Museum dedicated a Huey helicopter in his honor two Memorial Days ago. It’s painted with the Red Cross and his call sign which was Dustoff 1-0. It was quite an honor.

Karl I would be happy to share the photos. Give me a couple of days to put them together ~ right now I have them on a thumb drive ~ and I’ll send them to you. If you give me your email address that might be easier than trying to navigate this comment section. My address is: handd001@charter.net

As a former member of a med-e-vac crew with the 1st Cav, 15th Med Bn, we had M-60’s mounted on our ships and I was a door-gunner. I was wounded on 6 Dec. 69 in the Tay Ninh area. I really enjoyed your video. I saw a pic of one of our birds in your slide show. Mounted guns and the 1st Cav patch painted on the tail boom. Thanks for putting it together. I had some great pics myself, however, they never made it home when my belongings were inventoried. Somebody else wanted them more than me. Oh well. Thanks again.

Tribute to Real Hero’s who saved many lives….surrounded in a sea of Red & Green tracers flying by…..Incredible, Loyal , Dedicated, personnel. My UTMOST RESPECT to these guys as I was in a CH-47 Daily. Wonderful “Brotherhood”!

Larry,
My Dad was in the 159th 67-68 Crew Chief. He passed away 2 years ago at the age of 69. He was stationed in Long Bien. I am curious if you have any photos you are willing to share. His name was Gene Moon but he said everyone called him Wally.

What attracted me to the article is the 159th dustoff from Chu Chi. I was a combat medic in1969 and 70 with the 25th infantry out of Chu Chi, and lost a friend that was going to help me transfer over to his unit to fly dustoff with him. After he was shot down and killed in another province I did not pursue flying dustoff but his friend ship I will hold in my heart. If i could find any information about him i would be proud to mention him in the book that I am writing. Joseph Faddis

Great article. Did 2 tours in nam as a crewchief on hueys. Never flew dustoff but had and still have the greatest respect for those that did. My experiences were crazy enough can’t imagine flying into that jungle in an unarmed aircraft. Special breed.

Found this link scrolling through the web 2 days after my dad passed away. He was a crew chief in the 159th also in Cu Chi 67-68. His name is Gene Moon (nickname, Wally) and never shared anything with us about his experience in nam. I miss him so much already and have the upmost respect for him and all the men and women who served.

May I have permission to use one of your dustoff pictures in my book? In memory of my friend the warrant officer killed in 1970. He was flying with the 159th dustoff out of Chu Chi. Please let me know. Thank you. Joseph Faddis

It brings back good memories know that I was responsible for saving at least 1500 that lived beyond their injuries. No one ever died nor was injured aboard my aircraft, except for me being shot.
I am proud of my tour as a DUSTOFF pilot!

BOB RHODA
I was a DUSTOFF pilot in the Vietnam War. and served with the 254th Med Detachment out of Na Trang my first tour 1967-1968 and was CO of the 236th Med Detachment out of Red Beach DaNang. my second tour in 1971. The most dangerous missions we performed required us to hoist wounded out of the jungle using a personnel hoist mounted in the cargo door on the left side of the aircraft. My crews performed over 180 hoist missions in two years. I had a number of helicopters shot up , some of which never flew again and one of which is still sitting on the side of a mountain on the 270 radial off Na Trang . in ashes, as far as I know. It was never recovered and was ultimately burned in place. I had several crew members wounded while performing the mission. One pilot, named Applegate, was shot through the hand on a hoist mission. He was evacuated the states and I lost track of him. Hope he recovered fully.
After Vietnam, I went back to school and became a Chiropractor. I worked to get chiropractic into the Air Force, (which finally happened), but was too senior to serve in that capacity on active duty. By that time I was a Full Colonel.
I hope some fellow DUSTOFF pilots and/or crew members from 49 or 50 years ago will read this, remember me, (fondly I hope), and perhaps send me and e-mail @ magicvalleydoc@gmail.com. As we get older, memories become more important. They may fade some but never really go away.
BOB RHODA
COL, USAR, Retired

So appreciated this posting. I’m attempting to find information/images about my Dad’s youngest brother, David Baker, who was a pilot of these helos in Nam. He survived being shot down in Nam and was later training pilots in Ft Hood after the war. Tragically he was killed in a car accident there. Records of his time in Nam have been lost but many memories remain. If anyone remembers him, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you at rememberwhen95@windstream.net. Thanks again and God Bless!

Your Article is fantastic. My Cousin (Cpt. Robert Lee Cottman, was a Dust-Off pilot in Vietnam he was killed along with his crew on Oct 19, 1968. He was my inspiration for joining the US Army in 1977 where I qualified to be a helicopter mechanic, I was sent to Ft. Rucker, AL for training. Thank you for telling the world about the unsung heroes in the sky-who flew and was willing to die for America, while saving 1000s of lives. I’d love to hear from any living Veteran that Robert saved or just hear “The War Stories from Dust-Off Pilots” God Bless you all! Welcome Home Brothers………

Great article yes when one hears the distinctive noise of a H class coming in for a rope extraction your hair stands up on the back of your neck . To this day 50 years later the sound of a chopper coming in close makes my hair stand up , All of us who have served hold those brilliant pilots of 9Squadron RAAF in Vietnam in the highest esteem

Flew Dustoff during the first part of my second tour, as units were starting to rotate home. Enjoyed my time with the 57th, 254th and 498th. Great crews, interesting memories especially after having flown in a Cav troop on my first tour.

I thought this article was fantastic & very knowledgable. I was a Black Hawk pilots wife Ft. Campbell, Ky. I grew up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I have learned so much from all of the comments also. Sadly my husband & I later divorced. I still love & admire him as we have 2 sons that will be 39 & 41 later this year.
I am so happy I lucked up on this site. I look forward to learning so much. In 1969 I was a 14 year old girl when so many guys were being drafted as a young girl I said why are they drafting all of the good looking guys. As I grew older & wiser I learned to appreciate all men very handsome or not . I appreciate everyone that has been or is a veteran at this moment. Thank God for all of you.
Pamelakevinpamsiemsen@gmail.com

My dad, Jerry Thompson was a Dustoff pilot in Vietnam. Your article was so informative for me. He doesn’t really like to talk about his time in Vietnam so I was very happy to find something that explains in depth what his life would have been like there. Thank you for taking the time to share this information.